September 2017

The Ironies of Iron During Pregnancy

Iron is listed by the American Pregnancy Association as one of the nutrients essential for healthy fetal development. Why? Because a lack of iron, a mineral naturally found in foods like meat, seafood and vegetables, directly impacts the development of the fetal brain. Iron also prevents anemia, low birth weight and premature delivery. Unfortunately, 22 percent of US women in their childbearing years are iron deficient, says Susan Smith, PhD, deputy director of science at the UNC Nutrition Research Institute on the NC Research Campus. This means the mother-to-be doesn’t have enough iron to support both her growing fetus and herself. Smith’s lab studies how genetic and environmental factors affect prenatal development, including nutritional impacts like iron intake and how alcohol consumption leads to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD).

A new schedule of Appetite For Life programs begins Wednesday, September 27th, with Folami Ideraabdullah, PhD, presenting: “Vitamin D and Human Health: 10 Things Your Mother Never Told You.”

Vitamin D is an essential vitamin linked to human health and diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. It occurs naturally in fish, eggs, and red meat and several common foods in the United States are fortified with vitamin D, including milk and breakfast cereals. Recently, measuring vitamin D status has become more prevalent as a clinical measure of health and supplementation is often recommended to restore adequacy. We will discuss what vitamin D is made of, where it comes from and how it may impact your health.

Program begins at 6:00 PM at Restaurant 46, 101 West Avenue, Kannapolis, NC 28081. Guests should arrive a few minutes early.

November 14 – Susan Smith, PhD – Eat Like A Nutritionist and Still Enjoy the Holiday Season

Research We’re Reading: Muscles and Protein

From the desks of Martin Kohlmeier, MD, PhD and Robyn Amos-Kroohs, PhD

Protein is an important part of every cell in the body. Protein is also a building block of enzymes, hormones, and other important substances used in body processes. It’s a major component of most body systems, including the immune system, metabolism, and circulatory system. Its importance is why protein is known as a macronutrient, meaning that large amounts are required to help the body function appropriately on a daily basis. And unlike sugar and fats, macronutrients that have acquired bad reputations, protein is recognized as an important part of a healthy diet.